26 injured in Moharram clashes in UP

Lucknow, Nov 24 (IANS) Violence between two Muslim sects left more than 26 people injured in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut district Saturday, police said.

The clashes, officials informed IANS, broke out between two groups at Abdulahpur village over the issue of beating of drums.

"One side asked the other not to do so but the others did not relent, leading to violence," Meerut Senior Superintendent of police (SSP) K. Satyanarayan told IANS.

Since the 'Majlis', a religious congregation of Shias was underway, a group took umbrage to the beating of the drums and soon clashes erupted between the two sides.

Stones were pelted from both sides and firing was also reported. More than two dozen people have been admitted to nearby medical facilities. Some were discharged after first aid.

Additional police force has been deployed in the area to contain any escalation of the clashes.

No other such incident has been reported from any other part of the state, public relations officer (PRO) at the DGP headquarters Rakesh Singh told IANS, adding that adequate arrangements have been ensured for peaceful passage of Moharram processions.